|
|
September 29, 2011
Faith United Presbyterian Church |
|
|
|
THIS SUNDAY...
October 2, 2011
"To Whom Much Has Been Given..."
World Communion Sunday
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Philippians 3:4b-14
Psalm 19 Matthew 21:33-46
World Communion Sunday Guest: Ruby Bukari, Director of Intercultural Life at Monmouth College will
read the New Testament passage in her native language - Fanti.
Ruby is from the central region of Ghana. Lay Assistant: Bob Meling Communion Servers: Ron Tenold, Tom Sargent, Dominick Reading, Everitt Hardin, Jon Graham, Brad Larson, Julie Armstrong, Carolyn Meling, Betty McBride, Vicki Briscoe, Jane Warfield, Lorna Blackford Beedle/Crucifer: Malik Reading & Will Best Ushers: Tim Phelps, Tom Best, Chuck Peirce, Will Myers, Will Best Greeters: Gary & Denise Pullen Dominick & Stephanie Reading and family Nursery: Cindy Erickson & Landon Crosier Children's Church: Stephanie Reading Coffee Hour: Leroy & Joyce Lantz |
|
What Do You Think?
Are You Talking to Me?
From time to time, actually almost any given Sunday, someone will greet me at the door and proclaim something to the effect, "That sermon was written for me." After I think to myself, "Well, a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then...", I stop and remind myself that it wasn't I who found the acorn. Somewhere in the course of the preaching act - my preparation, the person's preparation, my delivery and the person's hearing - in the act of our worship, God's Word was heard by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. In most cases, the person's heart was uplifted or comforted; some issue in their personal life or family was addressed; or they simply gained a new insight into life or faith or the particular scripture. After one sermon, year's ago, a woman worshipping with us at Colter Bay Village in the Grand Teton National Park, said: "That was the best sermon I've ever heard. Something you said reminded me of the French word for "Blue" and I thought about the wonderful time I spent in France." Now I hadn't mentioned France or "Blue" or anything remotely similar to either, so I am not sure what God was trying to say to her. However, since she was the wife of the director of the program we were serving, A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, I wasn't about to argue.
As a preacher, I really have no control over how my sermons are heard. Many of you have heard me say, "On any given Sunday, I am preaching as many sermons as there are people present, maybe a few more." Nevertheless, it is always gratifying to hear a particular sermon touched a particular person in a particular way. While I might wish every sermon touched everyone in a particular way, I am mindful of the old man and the starfish. There may be countless people whose lives I never touch, who simply do not resonate with me or my preaching, but if I can say, "It matters to this one." It is a precious gift.
Interestingly enough, I don't get the same response from folks, if they find themselves convicted by one of my sermons. While people often appreciate the fact that a sermon challenged them or made them think, when one cuts to the heart, their response is not so gracious. In the South, when a preacher preached a sermon that hit a little too close to home, people would say the preacher was "meddlin'". When I'm "meddlin'", people don't take kindly to my preaching. Sometimes they get angry. Sometimes they just hold it in. Usually, it is better, if they get angry and we visit about it. On most occasions, we both come to a better understanding of what was said, what was heard and what was intended. When folks let things fester, too often, they find a reason to come to worship a little less frequently or speak out of school, stirring up resentment in their family or friends, as well.
Now I'll be the first to admit, as a preacher, I'm always looking for ways to say something better and, sometimes, I simply run out of preparation time. No matter how many times I find myself rewriting parts of sermons, the time comes when I just have to preach what I have. This is why I love to visit with people about the sermons, at Coffee Hour or Time for Refreshment. It is also why I like writing "Faith & Life" for the Review Atlas. These provide one more opportunity to clarify or improve what I am trying to say. Though I have little control over how a sermon is heard, I am more than willing to accept the responsibility that if a sermon is not heard in the way I intended, it says more about the limits of my preaching than the folks who are there listening. So I always appreciate the opportunities to clarify what I was saying and say it better.
Nevertheless, I do wonder, if people are ever convicted by a sermon, in such a way, they say, "That sermon was written for me." Do people ever hear the Word of God in a sermon in such a way that it causes them to change their life, to repent? In all my years as a pastor, I am not sure anyone has ever told me, "Pastor Myers, your sermon cut me to the heart and I am going to turn my life around." Though I am aware of my limits as a preacher, if I don't believe I should receive the credit when someone really likes a sermon, and feels I was preaching directly to her, should I not allow for the possibility that a sermon that cut someone to the heart may also have had little to do with me? Could it be that when we leave worship on a Sunday morning, convicted rather than comforted, it was no less the Word of God for us that day?
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
| |
|
|
| |
An Invitation to
Read the Bible
|
Your weekly Scripture readings are:Sunday Luke 7:26-8:56 Monday Luke 9:1-10:28 Tuesday 10:29-12:17 Wednesday 12:18-13:35 Thursday 14:1-16:30 Friday 16:31-18:43 Saturday 19:1-20:46 Sunday (10/9) 20:47-22:38
|
|
| |
Festival Sundays
Invite a Friend!
| |
Festival Sundays are Sundays that are extra special in our life together. While the worship of God each and every Lord's Day is worthy of our time and devotion, efforts will be made to set apart Festival Sundays as extraordinary opportunities for worship. Plan ahead to bring family and friends on these festive occasions, you will be glad you did!
|
|
| |
Adult Bible Study
| |
Class will begin meeting on Sunday, October 2, at 9:15 a.m. i the Bride's Room, across from the Chapel. All adults are welcome to join this informal study which includes reading and discussion from October 2 until Christmas. We will focus on the wisdom teachings found in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. How do these apply to our lives as Christians today? How does Jesus expand upon them in the Sermon on the Mount? Come and share your ideas.
|
|
| |
Faith & Life Class
| |
Rev. Dr. Teri M. Ott, Monmouth College Chaplain, will be teaching a special course at our church on October 2nd, 9th, and 16th during the Sunday School hour at 9:15 a.m. in the Social Hall. The series is entitled, "Is Your God too Safe?" Fueling our Faith with Courage and Imagination." On Sunday, October 9, Rev. Ott will also be leading us in worship and will preach a sermon related to the course topic.
|
|
Autumn Fest
| | The Warren County History Museum will hold an Autumn Fest on Sunday, October 2, from 1 - 4:00 p.m.
1:30-2:00 p.m. 2:30-3:00 p.m. "Honey Production and Making Apple Cider" 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. "Free Pumpkin Decorating" (for first 50 participants)
"Continuous Corn Shelling Demonstrations" & "Pumpkin Seed Throw - Pumpkin Bocce & Bowling"
Games, refreshments, prizes!
|
|
Thai Circle
| | Thai Circle will meet at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 6, in the Social Hall. They will study lesson two in Confessing the Beatitudes - "Greatly Honored are the Mourners."
|
|
Icebreaker for October
| | The October meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 9th, at 5:00 p.m., in the Social Hall. The program will be given by Sharon Gilbert, The Lady With Hats. A meal will be included and the cost will be $5.00 each. Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Darlene Moffet, 734-5537; or Donna Larson, 734-6103.
|
|
Per Capita
| | The per-capita assessment underwrites the operating costs of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, the Synod of Lincoln Trails, and General Assembly. It also pays for denominational dues in the National Council of Churches and the national ordination exams for candidates for the ministry. Traditionally, congregations ask that all members pay their per capita in addition to making a contribution above and beyond their regular giving to assist in meeting our denominational operating cost.
This year's per capita is $28.00 per confirmed member.
|
|
Back by Popular Demand!
|
Join us for our 2nd Annual Crock-pot Cook-off on October 23, following worship.
It's that time of year again so get out your secret family crock-pot recipes! The rules are simple: select a recipe that is cooked only in the crock-pot. This can include anything from breakfast dishes to soups, main courses to desserts, etc. Basically, anything that you can cook in a crock-pot.
Adults, youth, and children will then sample each one, voting on the yummiest dish. The person with the most votes will win a $25.00 gift card to a local restaurant. The entry fee is $5.00, and needs to be submitted along with your name and what you'll be making to the office by Sunday, October 16. All proceeds will go toward the cost of the 2012 Youth Mission Trip.
|
|
Icebreaker News
| | |
The Icebreakers will be producing and directing an all-church evening of skits and entertainment. We have some scripts ready to go and a couple more to find. There are spots for junior highs and senior highs and lots of spots for adults. If you're itching to get back on the stage or onstage for the first time, let the Larsons or the Distins know. If you and a friend do a wonderful duet of "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better," let us know. Do you have prepared a brilliant monologue you know we'll love? Let us know. And if the role that is right up your alley is Audience Member, we're totally okay with that too.
|
|
| Food for Jamieson | | |
Please bring the following items and fill the hall outside the office! The need at food pantry's is increasing, please join us in helping. Thank you for being "The Hands of Christ" and thinking of others.
October 2
Toilet Paper
October 9
Cereal
October 16
Peanut Butter & Jelly
October 23
Spaghetti Sauce and noodles
October 30
Paper towels
|
|
| Time for Refreshment | | Join Pastor Myers from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoons for tea and shortbread in the Church Office. Drop in for a time of refreshment after school or on your way home from work. Featuring: Teas from McNab's Tea Room, Boothbay, Maine & Music from Bach to Bix!
|
|
Kids Against Hunger & Coins
for Kids | | |
Monmouth is now a satellite for a program based in Minneapolis call "Kids Against Hunger." The local leaders are Dan & Wendy Allaman, who have traveled to Ethiopia twice with their family in the last 2 years. Volunteers package meals which will be sent to Ethiopia, assembly-line style. Each package of food costs $.25 and 2000 meals can be packaged in one hour with 10-12 volunteers for the cost of $500.00.
In October, the youth of our church will package meals which have already been paid for. Sometime in November or January we will be organizing an event for families with young children to package food. In order to do this we need to raise money for each package. Look for a large jar marked "Coins for Kids" in the social hall. All kinds of coins (or paper) are welcome - especially quarters. We hope to have $500.00 in a very heavy jar at least by January. So, load up your pockets with change on Sunday morning and fill up our jar. Thank You.
|
|
| Change a Life... Tutor a Child | | The RSVP Volunteer program of Warren County, in partnership with local schools and after-school programs is looking for volunteers to help children succeed. A variety of opportunities and schedules are available. Orientation and training will be on Wednesday, September 28, at Lincoln School and on Friday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 12, at the First Street Armoury, from 9:00 a.m. - noon. Please call Barb Byrne at 309-36804598 or Amye Bean at 309-428-5841.
|
|
| Milk Caps | | |
Bring in your Swiss Valley or Prairie Farms Milk Caps. Each cap can be redeemed for $.05 which will go toward Teddy Bear Day Care. TBDC is located in our church basement and cares for children ages 2 - 5 plus before and after school care. Every penny counts, so drink your milk and save the caps for us. Just place them in the milk container in the social hall. Thank you!
|
|
Monmouth
College Chapel | |
Worship with The Rev. Dr. Teri Ott on Monday's in Dahl Chapel from 12:10-12:40 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
Prayer Concerns
Greg Gillliland, Tammy Inman, Mary Harrison, Jan Gebauer, Ruth Carwile, Brian and Amanda Byers, Ollie Faith Reed, Janet Paris, and Kylie Logsdon. |
|
Thank You
Dear Members of Faith United,
Thank you for partnering with me to host a Worship Art Workshop. Eleven Presbyterian churches from around Illinois came to Faith United to make some beautiful banners with our fiber artist, Grace Cox-Johnson. The churches who participated were thrilled with their new banners and so appreciative of the opportunity. Thank you for helping with this as my co-host congregation. I look forward to many more wonderful opportunities to partner together in the future.
Peace in Christ,
Teri M. Ott
************************************ On behalf of the Rainbow Riders board, staff, riders, and HORSES, I thank all of you who put so much effort into the ice cream social, and chose us as your charity to support this year!
It's folks like you, caring about programs like ours that keep us reaching out to so many wonderful people in our community.
Your $100 gift is deeply appreciated, and is a caring support.
Thank you all, so very, very much!
Karen Angotti, Director
|
Birthday Wishes to You!
September Birthdays
26 Ethan Clark
30 Mona Buchholz
October Birthdays
1 Dorothy Behnke
2 Lorna Blackford 5 Barb Byrne 6 Elizabeth Nieman 7 Michael Crosier 11 Chloe Larson David Spoerl Paul Mason III 13 Megan Byrne 15 Don Mills Austin Johnson 17 Tom Best 19 Mandy Lyle 21 Taylor Turnquist 29 Marie Inman 30 Lynn Biggs Amanda Bowman 30 Kathy Lewis |
|
|
|
|
|
